Set in a quintessential mountains-and-rivers Pacific Northwest landscape, the festival puts a counter-culture spin on everything: the food is organic, the atmosphere unbounded, the attire one-of-a-kind, and the music pioneering. It’s a scene that stands in contrast to the manufactured music, processed foods, and conventions that plague the mainstream. Does this festival achieve utopia? Many of the festival’s dedicated fans would say ‘yes’ –an affirmation backed up by not only the magical vibe that makes every season seem like “the best one ever,” but also the lack of security problems that can blight other festivals. At HSMF, for four days at least, peace is not just a dream.